WORD:
Online community for supporters of indie book retail launches
Edited Press Release

The IndieBound.org community, a gathering place for supporters of indie
retail businesses, has now launched, the American Booksellers
Association (ABA) announced. IndieBound, a movement to celebrate
independent bookstores and to encourage shopping locally, kicked off in
June and has become a strong presence in nearly a thousand independent
bookstore locations across the country.

The community
site lets consumers share information about indie retailers (including
locations and specialties), comment on community issues, offer book
recommendations, and exchange personal communication. Visitors are
encouraged to add stores to the national indie retailer map, to become
fans of stores, and to connect with like-minded indie enthusiasts.

"The mission of the IndieBound.org community is to help people across
the United States share and find great independently-owned businesses,"
said ABA chief marketing officer Meg Smith. "By connecting
indie-conscious people with local businesses, we're working to
strengthen the health of Main Streets. Thriving local economies make
for sustainable communities and happy residents." Smith stressed that
the community site is "a work in progress. We're planning on rolling
out new features and new content on a regular basis over the next six
to 12 months."

Responding to both the consumer shift towards shopping at independent
retailers and the growing emphasis on the ideas of localism and
sustainability, ABA launched IndieBound at BookExpo America 2008 in Los
Angeles. Growth of the movement is evidenced by the many ABA members
sporting "Eat Sleep Read" and other banners, and displaying the Indie Next List
(monthly book recommendations from indies across the country) and the
Indie Bestseller List. The movement has been embraced by many bloggers,
authors, publishers, and other indie retailers during its initial
rollout to the public.

"Independent booksellers in stores of all sizes are proudly telling
their customers and other indie retailers that 'we're IndieBound,'"
said ABA President Gayle Shanks of Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe,
Arizona. "Locally owned, indie booksellers introduce readers to great
new writing, contribute far more to the health of their local
economies, and play a crucial role in maintaining the unique character
of their communities."

Founded in 1900, the American
Booksellers Association is a not-for-profit trade
organization devoted to meeting the needs of its core members --
independently owned bookstores with storefront locations -- through
education, information dissemination, business products and services,
and advocacy. ABA exists to protect and promote the interests of
independent retail book businesses, as well as to protect the First
Amendment rights of every American. The association actively supports
free speech, literacy, and programs that support local and independent
retail shops. A board of nine booksellers, representing thousands of
members, governs the Association. ABA is headquartered in Tarrytown,
New York.